srees reducing the rate of veteran suicide should be a priority. Finney met with julianne whos son died earlier this year. It has attracted a quarter of a million signatures. Will the Prime Minister agree ath the call and establish role into veteran suicide . It is passed. Thank you, i met with julianne last weekend we had a productive discussion that her son died by suicide earlier this year. Other mit with many met with other peers to discuss the proposal for a Royal Commission to be held into veteran suicide. We know the right of Mental Illness among veterans is high. 30 is 2. 2e rate under times that for australian men of the same age. About one third of those who have lived in the past five years have reported high levels of psychological distress. Mr. Speaker, this is a matter that has been made a National Priority by its governor. The goal to address Mental Health issues and address Suicide Prevention. Christine morgan has been appointed as the Suicide Prevention advisor. We have held quite a number of detailed policy stations with the head of the Defense Force and those directly responsible in the department of Veterans Affairs. There are many changes i want to chest i want to stress. How the department of Veterans Affairs operates. I want to think the department for the changes that are made. I said to julianne, i said i wish those arrangements had been in place when her son had been in the force. I wish they were in place for all those australians who have served and passed away at their own hand. Lessons are being put into place. I remain open to this question. Closely with Veterans Affairs and working with the veterans. Those who are in this chamber and i welcome the important feedback from veterans on the others of the chamber. To talk about these issues. I have given an undertaking that we will continue to reflect on these things over break. Before making a decision on this matter. I can assure you of this. What i am seeking to do is ensure that whenever a veteran has sadly taken their life, whether in the past i would like to say it would never happen in the future but i cannot that on every occasion there must be justice, accountability, learnings, and change. That is what im committed to. Here, here. They had a loss of or a union bill and second week. It did get key support in the last week. The medical evacuations of asylumseekers bill. They wanted to know how. The deputy leader of opposition. Thank you. My question is to the Prime Minister. Statement to repeal the medevac legislation which senator cornyn has denied. Has the governor finally agreed . What is the deal . Left, i am noty aware of with the member is referring to. [laughter] mention or reference to that. I can assure you that senator lam be is aware of the policies and is pleased with those policies. Today she is supportive of it. By supporting the repeal of the medevac ville bill which was supported one year ago about this time. The labour party did that because they do not believe in Strong Border protection. [boeing] [booing] that is doubly untrue. On every occasion this leader of the opposition just like the last leader has proven themselves to be weak on border protection. The australian people know it. Architectthey are the of the last time and the time before that. When we saw these things occur in the way they did. Seeking to frustrate the policy of the government. On this occasion or a previous occasion when we saw to remedy the problem that has been faced on our borders. Labour are week on border protection. The australian people know it. He confirmed that today by his response and reaction to the repeal of the medevac ville. Wasgovernment policy supporting people who required medical attention and they were brought to australia. It was our government that got every single child. That was done under my Prime Ministership. We delivered that. Party was the labour party that sent children to manus island. How do i know that . I went there and i sat with the mothers and children that they sent to manus island. Ill not take lecture [inaudible] outrageous treatment of women and children. We gotd nothing while every child off manus island. Party record on this issue is the obvious trait. The opportunity to be in charge of border protection, he would set a new low. Theight at the end of parliamentary year there was a surprising announcement on policy and rearranging and restructuring the department within government compare. Five Department Heads have gone. The member for greenway. I question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm he sacked five secretaries . Here, here. The Prime Minister has the call. Mr. Speaker, im happy to adjust the first part of the question. Of the question contained an ugly smear. [inaudible] [booing] [chatter] have showed themselves to be an angry rabble. They remain angry since the 18th of may. The people they are angry at his the australian people. The australian people rejected them at the last election for their high taxes and soft policy on border protection. Their lack of faith in the australian people to get on and keep more of what they what i did today in announcing a restructured Australian Public Service is to make sure the Public Service is focused on australia. They are focused and have a clear line of sight between the work they do and the need ofeduced the number departments from 18 down to 14. The Public Service had to be more focused on the surface of the australian people. Value theand excellent work of our Public Service. I want to give them the right structure that enables them to deliver the services that are needed across this country. Whether it is providing service in the draft, the minister outlined the outstanding work of the recovery agency. It will be given a broader charter and responsibility for assisting. Assisting farmers through the drought. The other thing we done is education, skills, and lifeyment so we have education. The equipping we give to people in this country of whatever age through our educational system. It is designed to get them into a job and keep them nhl. Keep them in a job. Particularly ensure it is connected to our Regional Development of gender. We are making sure our Human Services department is part of the broader social services. Through the work of the minister, Government Services can get those two people on the ground. It is important we have a Public Servant that is supported by the government to get the job done. That is why i took the decision. I expect our government to work for the australian people and we do. I am assuring the Australian Public Service is focused on the job of delivering for australia. Debate about what to do with the berries asylumseekers and refugees. Islandralia and on manus there was a question about one person. Whether or not they should be. Senator lamby. My question is to minister cash. Man accused of murdering people in uganda. Two others accused of the same crime resettled in australia lester. The three were brought under the refugee charter. What kind of deal is this . The u. S. Did not want them in their community. They helped them for more than a decade in detention. To these men pose a Security Risk to the community. And has the community been told . Senator cache. Senator lamby for the question and related to the details. We would normally not comment on individual cases but what i will do because i dont have a that that is take order. Minister i cannot hear the minister. Please let her resume. Is thati can advise you the Prime Minister confirmed publicly in may the australia had rescheduled to rwandans from the United States in 2018. He also stated these people were resettled as refugees along with other rwandans and people from around other countries under australias ongoing humanitarian program. He also said, as the Prime Minister noted, both individuals were subject to strict security and character check. Senator lamby, a supplementary question. Did you tell the australians they rejected the asylum claim in 2007 because he believed they were, a danger to the community . He noted they were members of a terrorist group. He did not find that they had been rehabilitated. If they trying come under section 501 of the immigration act, they would be rejected on character. Order, senator lamby. Senator mr. President , we would not normally comment on individual cases. I will go back to the comment the Prime Minister made at the time. Both individuals were subject to strict security and character checks. Rwandanso advise the were not part of the United States resettlement arrangement. Lamby, final question. How security is defined. It is absolutely absurd this is going on time. Ator lamby, your they deserve to know what the government has agreed to do here. It looks as though we are giving getting we are criminals in return. How many more members of a terrorist organization to you plan to bring to australia under a deal none of us are allowed to see . Senator. I will have to reject the question of senator lambys question outright. In response to the first supplementary question, i did advise the rwandans were not part of the United States resettlement arrangement. It really does make all other statements senator lamby has made redundant. Have you concluded . They push the issue of climate change. The latest report on the Great Barrier reef is not a rose one. Senator waters. Thank you. My question to senator birmingham is the World Heritage by the greatwed barrier reef should not be listed as endangered. On sunday your government sent in a report pretending everything is fine. Downplaying the dramatic decline in conditions. Claim to be actively training actively managing the reef when half of three has bleach to death . And you set up an inquiry your own Waste Management authority has downgraded the longterm outlook for the reef from poor to very poor for the first time . Theinister representing minister for birmingham. I do not accept all of these accessions made. The government takes the health of the Great Barrier reef incredibly seriously. That is why we have supported record levels of investment, support as part of our protection efforts. To build a resilience for the reef to address the many challenges it faces. We joined that with the government. Our reef protection effort and longterm sustainability developed jointly with the Queensland Government. Industry,along scientist, farmers, and the community to implement the plan. The Queensland Government are thesting 2. 7 billion from 2015 into 2024 to implement plans. In terms of working to improve Water Quality and coastal itat, the crown of storms crown of thorns starfish and migratory species. Recognized in terms of protected areas and was identified in previous years reports. We are investing in the longterm support for reef activity for the reef trust partnership. With the Great BarrierReef Foundation as well and continuing to invest further in terms of Additional Support for a controlling crown of thorns starfish and working with farmers to improve Water Quality. Our efforts are about making sure we take the action necessary to sustain the reef as one of australias great environmental assets. Our prime tourism assets. We support communities in the reef and make sure they are april april 2 provide for the world. The latest scientific report is concerned that if Global Temperatures respa to 1. 5 degrees, 90 foot 90 of the reef be lost. 100 of reese will be lost if we hit two degrees. Your policies have us on track for three degrees of warming. When will your government warn stop its war on science . To protect what is left of the reef. Order. Senator birmingham. I completely reject what senator water said. Government has details in terms of the climate solution right down to the last how we pose senator wall senator wong is not interested order. Point of order. Order. [shouting] interjections are disorderly. I have senator waters on a point of order. Order. Even in the Christmas Spirit, i will not tolerate getting like this. Senator birmingham. I do not feel elective Christmas Spirit and those comments either. In terms of our commitment governments detailed claims to make a 2030 target in regards to climate action. That is what the package does. Senator waters knows that. Stop misleading in the sense that australia has exceeded the target today. Our plans are ensuring we continue to do so in the future. Order. Senator waters, a final question. If you want to manage the pressure on the reef in the 64,000 jobs it supports, it would provoke federal approval for the coal mine. Not improve any call in australia. It does not disclose the millions intonation from big oil , big coal, and big guest to your party over the last four years. When will you band donations from the fossil fuel industry . An industry which benefits nicely from your governments lack of policy. I remind of supplementary question. The coal on the minister to respond as far as the policy represents. Senator billingham. The supplementary question highlights the misleading rubbish we get from the australian grain. When it comes to addressing itmate policy, bringing into a new range of matters and ignoring this is about dealing with a global problem through Global Cooperation and action. Australia plays our role. We have done so consistently over recent years in terms of signing onto Global Climate change agreement. Acting in accordance with them. Signing onto future agreed its agreements like the paris agreement. It does not come down to a single piece of regulatory approval. It does not come down to what the nation electoral financing laws may look like. It comes down to working in concert with other nations to make sure we deliver upon our commitment and make sure they deliver upon their spirit that is what we are committed to doing. Then there is the bushfire crisis which has had the attention of all of australia as well as parliament. We heard from sandra lyons wanting to know about future plans in australia. Not just leasing them from countries in the Northern Hemisphere. My question to the minister representing the minister of natural disaster. Questions have been raised by a fire chief if australias which isire aircraft 90 of the firepower. Decade the number of aircraft at least has almost tripled. From 50 to two more than 140. These aircraft are a considerable cost. The new government has started acquiring its own aircraft such as the boeing 737. Government it has least efficient aircraft for the summer . Mckenzie. Thank you. I can provide you an answer. Aerial firefighting plays an Important Role in protecting communities and infrastructure. Providing support to firefighters on the ground. Aerial firefighting is one method of suppression, Land Management in jurisdictions view the combination of tactics prior to entering operation. The aerial firefighting center was formed inany 2003. It is that the Business Unit of the Australia Fire Emergency Services council. To represent the costeffective method to deliver a critical Emergency Management capability. Officers work with the the fire risk. Has the leasing arrangement. They advised the government there are enough fire fire aerial firefighters. Do you have what you need given the context you are fighting these fires in . I have returned they do at present. The government remains open to request for further assistance. That will continue to be a flexible arrangement with responding as needed. Tomay we remain committed this. There are a minimum number of aircraft on standby during the fire season. They centralize contracts. This is the case of both local aircraft and the large aircraft order. Supplementary question. Longer inasons last places like greece and the u. S. They start earlier in australia. There is ache risk there is a risk that it will not be available for us here. What is the longterm plan to make sure aircraft are provided when needed . Senator mckenzie. Thank you. Have 147 aircraft that are leased at the moment. That changes throughout the season pending on a set risk and the contracted timeframe. I am happy to go through the ose. There is a trend of longer fire season in the Northern Hemisphere. Some aircraft are shared with the Northern Hemisphere the National Area firefighting center will contract 141 specialist aircraft across the country. Three quarters of the Main Residence in australia year round. The center acknowledges the potential challenge of longer fire seasons and the need to continue to manage International Movement of resources. Senator griff. In canada, they own a fleet of firefighting aircraft which they lease out. Has the federal government determined the value of and cost of if it were to purchase aircraft for australia for part of the future season . Senator mckenzie. Firefighting aircraft are generally leased due to the high cost of purchasing and maintaining. The australian bushfire season typically occurs during the offseason for u. S. , canada, and european fighting aircraft. It gives the greatest flexibility for resources. The ability to costeffectively introduce new technology. The Australian Government has decided to link this capability rather than purchase. There was a tough course. On the run over a few different topics. The deputy leader of opposition. Thank you, mr. Speaker. My question is to deprive mr. Why does he believe he should not be subject to rules of integrity and accountability . Preventing any members speaking on the bill today . Repeatedly misled parliament, interfered in a Police Investigation into one of his on ministers, sacked the ceo, invited his mentor to the white house. [cheering] the Prime Minister has the [shouting] thank you, mr. Speaker. I remind members during the course of questioning that this is question tempered it is not smear time. [shouting] members on my left [inaudible] the Prime Minister will pause for a second. The level of interjections is ridiculously high. A number of members have been mentioned and warned. To be clear. I will not allow a wall of noise to interrupt question time. I am issuing a general warning. What that means for those who have not expensed it before is i authority under 94a without a warning. It means that if im move to name someone, the warning is now. The prime minster has the call. Thank you. I reject the smears that have been put by the opposition informing the question. I would invite questions about policy. From one of the members which i am happy to take. I think that was an important issue to raise. [shouting] if all the leader of the opposition has his smears and this,tions, dramatizing if that is all this leader has the Prime Minister will resume his seat. Point of order. This premise he will resume his seat. With the range of topics covered andquestion, i cannot the nature of the question going to the Prime Minister, i cannot see how he is being relevant. You cannot ask a question like that. It is brought in nature and try and insist there be a narrow answer. The Prime Minister is in order. Thank you. If the leader of the opposition has smears, and that is how he wishes to defend as leader of the opposition i think the australian public will see the leader for what he is. Mr. Speaker, all this leader is demonstrating to the australian people is he is like those that glue themselves to buses and trucks. They seek to disrupt the ordinary, everyday of australians. When they grow a little older, you only need to look at this leader. [shouting] this is an angry man. There he goes. Come on, in angry captain angry. 94a, the leader of the opposition is seeking my call. Yes. The Prime Minister is making a number of personal accusations against me. [shouting] the minister will resume his seat. The question made a number of accusations. The Prime Minister is making some and return. That tends to happen. The Prime Minister has the call. I understand the leader of the opposition is angry. [shouting] the government is standing up to those who do not want to see suffering and bullying is part of their workplace. Particularly against workman against women. When it comes to calling them into account and asking them to outlaw thuggish and bullying behavior, this is the reaction. Smears, accusations, attacking people to their face. I am not intimidated by the leader of the opposition or any labour party members. [shouting] [inaudible] the Prime Minister has resumed his seat. I have not told you yet. [shouting] i have not called you yet. Resume your seat. Resume your seat. I will call the manager of opposition on a point of order. Point of order. The Prime Minister just made a jive against the opposition and individual members. That is deeply personal. He should be above that. It should be withdrawn. [shouting] left, the on my member will leave under order 94a. I just want to say to the manager of opposition, as a Strong Language as it was because of the nature of it i was listening carefully. Say is that it was strongly good. The manager of opposition has asked for that to be withdrawn. I cant think of an example where as strong as that accusation was it has been withdrawn. I am just saying to them, im happy to hear for the manager of opposition. A you will find instances speaker has given someone the opportunity it would assist the house if they withdrew. I can assure you it would assist the house of the premise or if you withdrew. The manager of opposition business [shouting] the leader of the house, sorry. Directly to the issue by nominating the name [shouting] the leader of the house will resume his seat. The manager of opposition and others interjecting does not help. I did not hear the last part of the leader of the house. The question specifically contained and influence with respect to faith. And nominate someone who was a Church Leader of a particular faith. [shouting] in my consideration of this agree thatont inference was there. The statement the Prime Minister made was a very general one. He said people had questioned his faith. The difficulty i am now. I cannot suggest the manager of opposition business. I am not in a position to judge where no one has questioned his faith. I am not in a position to judge that. I agree it was Strong Language. I will hear from the manager of opposition of business. Two wishes. First in terms of the question. The question what specifically to areas the Prime Minister has failed to answer questions. He gave a list of examples. All of those are well and truly in the public domain. It would assist the dignity of the house if the Prime Minister was given the with draw. To his drug this there aree where the minister is not helping. To thened carefully Prime Minister and the manager of opposition is right. There have been occasions where house. Have resisted the things have not been set that would have assisted the dignity of the house. They have been withdrawn. I am not going to require a withdrawal. I am going to say there are other means open to members including if they think that is a misrepresentation. Can think of many examples of tough language like that. What is tough is that many examples of that have occurred and it was not had it been the case it was personalized and went directly to the person that would be a different matter. On that, i caution all members speaking. The Prime Minister has concluded his answer. He has 22 seconds. The recent i will not withdraw this [laughter] they have been engaged in that tactic for some time now. [shouting] i will stand up for what i believe in and stand up for my beliefs. [shouting] that is the final addition of question time. I am tom connor. Winston and cspan, a discussion of the president of an antiabortion group. Caselandmark 1991 court about abortion. That is at 8 p. M. Eastern the National Constitution center in philadelphia. Tvouncer American History is on cspan3 every day. Primetime features each night at 8 p. M. Eastern. Tonight, the year 1969. Woodstock, freespeech, and the gay rights movement. New years day, the 30th anniversary of the fall of the berlin wall. Thursday, the forgotten battles of the civil war. Friday, the 75th anniversary of the battle of the bulge. Where adolf hitler wants to counter against allied forces. Watch American History tv all this week and every weekend on cspan3. Normally what would happen is there is a team of helicopters helping each other to make sure they are safe. Because there was no one else there and it had to be done, odonnell made the decision he would rescue these men. He went down into these landing zones and hovered on the ground for four minutes waiting for the Reconnaissance Team. In a battle condition, and eternity. It is a long time to be sitting vulnerable to the enemy. He waited. The Reconnaissance Team arrived. Injured but safe. They boarded the helicopter, all of them. Odonnell began to pull the helicopter up. He radioed, i have everyone. Im coming out. Announcer president and ceo of the metropolitan museum of art, daniel weiss, about the life of Michael Odonnell who went missing in action during the vietnam war. Sunday at 8 p. M. Eastern on cspan q a. Go shopping and see what is available at the cspan online store including our new campaign 2020 tshirts, sweatshirts and hats. Browse all of our products. This is eleanor cliff. She is a columnist for the daily piece joining us on last day of the year. Glad to be with you. We have been talking to folks for the last hour about a top story for 2019. If theres a thing that rises to the top . The president impeached. Only the third president in u. S. History. I grew up in queens new york, and the queens daily eagle played impeachment a page 15 below the phone. It said